Senior Category Manager

Advocate Group; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment partner, Advocate Group, is seeking a Senior Procurement Manager for a top beverage company. This critical role oversees the Ingredients category across EMEA, ensuring supply continuity while optimizing cost and procurement strategies. The successful candidate will have solid procurement experience, strong negotiation skills, and an ability to influence category performance in a high-growth environment.

Qualifications

• Proven procurement experience in an FMCG environment.
• Strong analytical skills with data interpretation ability.
• Self-starter attitude with the ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Manage supplier relationships and performance to ensure cost-effective supply.
• Lead complex, high-value negotiations with strategic suppliers.
• Deliver market insights and category intelligence to regional and global teams.

Skills

Proven procurement experience

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Supplier relationship management

Education

Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Engineering, or Finance

MCIPS preferred

Tools

SAP proficiency

Job description

3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

This range is provided by Advocate Group. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Direct message the job poster from Advocate Group

Lead Talent Partner | Consumer Product Recruitment Experts

Our client, a globally leading and fast-growing powerhouse in the beverage industry, is looking for a highly capable Senior Procurement Manager to take the reins of their Ingredients category across the EMEA region.

This is a critical role within a dynamic procurement function, offering the opportunity to influence supply chain strategy and category performance for one of the most visible components in their global product portfolio. With a focus on both category excellence and regional leadership, you’ll be a key player in ensuring supply continuity, unlocking value, and driving commercial impact in a complex and high-growth market.

What You’ll Do:

• Take end-to-end ownership of the Ingredients category for EMEA, managing supplier relationships, contracts, and performance to ensure secure, efficient, and cost-effective supply.
• Lead complex, high-value negotiations with strategic suppliers, often involving senior stakeholders.
• Deliver market insights, price forecasts, and category intelligence to both regional and global teams.
• Partner with co-packers and their procurement teams to optimize sourcing and strengthen value creation strategies.
• Build and manage robust forecasting, risk management, and value-creation programs for the tin/aluminium supply base.
• Collaborate across EMEA Planning, Operations, Innovation, and Finance teams to align procurement strategy with wider business goals.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethical sourcing, sustainability, and mutual value creation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure uninterrupted supply of raw ingredients to meet demand and growth.
• Optimize cost via strategic sourcing, RFQs, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage supplier contracts, monitor performance, and ensure timely payment/invoicing processes.
• Handle pricing, hedging, and freight costs using a total-cost-of-ownership approach.
• Deliver insightful category analyses — from raw material pricing and capacity constraints to weather and geopolitical impacts.
• Maintain clear oversight of cost accruals and supplier innovation opportunities.

What You’ll Bring:

• A degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Engineering, or Finance; MCIPS preferred.
• Proven procurement experience in an FMCG environment
• Proven expertise in negotiation and supplier relationship management.
• Strong analytical skills, with a knack for interpreting data and solving complex supply challenges.
• SAP proficiency and an understanding of lean manufacturing principles.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across regions and functions.
• Self-starter attitude with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced and agile environment.

This is more than a procurement role — it's a chance to influence one of the most critical categories in a brand that’s defining the global beverage landscape.

Join a high-growth environment where innovation, energy, and impact are part of the everyday. Apply now.

Call: 0151 209 2055

The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner, based in the UK, to the FMCG and consumer product sectors.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. Please note that The Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Supply Chain and Purchasing

• Industries

  Beverage Manufacturing, Food and Beverage Manufacturing, and Food and Beverage Retail

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